This morning, a coworker poked their head into my office about three minutes after I had walked in, turned my light on, and put my hat up on the shelf, and shrugged off my backpack. He cheerfully announced, “Good morning to you!” Ugh. I cannot politely explain what immediately went through my mind. Suffice it to say, there were unpleasant words and a borderline violent response locked away up inside my brain. The turmoil flowing through my incarcerated mind reached a toxic danger level when my facial expression prompted the “case of the Mondays” comment.
I am spoiled to have a short commute to work, or some may think. It is about 10 to 15 minutes. However, it is barely enough time to get ready for the onslaught of cheer when I walk in the office. It’s not that I am not a morning person. It’s not that I am anti-social. And honestly, I think people who are around me all day would consider me to be generally quite pleasant. I am an introvert. I recharge in those coveted moments of solitude.
This world is run by extroverts. They step out in front, steeling their wool by engaging in social interactions. Their batteries are hooked up to an alternator. The more they exert energy in social settings, the more energized they become. This is why they run the world…renewable energy.
The world is managed by introverts. We clear the paths for the extroverts and tidy up afterward. We ensure the foundations are solid and the sound system works. We gently influence the conversation with our subtle, yet confident and compassionate input. After doing our part, we require solitude to recharge and prepare for the next big thing.
In spite of my response to by bubbly coworker, I am not a hateful troll. I am simply one who draws strength from the quiet, uninterrupted moments where I find clarity, focus, and can plan greatness for my extrovert friends to run with.
Next month, I will be driving a few hundred miles to attend training. Armed with my GPS, pillow from home, and satellite radio, I am looking forward to those hours of recharging…and the epic concert that I have an exclusive on-stage pass to in my vehicle.
